PLANS to convert Kingswinford’s former police station into a crèche have been given the green light.

The old base in Moss Grove, which was shut down in 2017, will become a nursery catering for 52 toddlers and pre-school children as well as 10 babies, after Dudley Council planners granted permission.

A report on the application, submitted on behalf of the applicant by agents Central Building Consultancy Limited, said the nursery would operate from 7am to 6pm weekdays.

The redevelopment will see the main police station converted into the day nursery with extensions to the front and back of the building.

Two existing mobile buildings, previously used as locker rooms, will be refurbished and relocated into the secured rear garden area for use as a baby nursery.

The report said: “It is considered that the proposed development is acceptable in terms of scale, size and appearance and would not have a detrimental impact on surrounding amenity and the street scene nor raise any highway safety issues.

“At the time of the site visit the buildings were vacant and the site was visually deteriorating.

“A suitable reuse of the site would allow buildings to be internally and externally refurbished and the grounds to be tended and productively used.”

The report added that boundary fencing currently in place around the site will be retained and will help mitigate any noise generated from the nursery and cause less nuisance to neighbours.

Kingswinford Police Station was one of 13 that were closed by West Midlands Police in 2017, as part of plans to generate £8 million budget savings. It was put on the market later that year for £450,000.